News

Dictators back up one another

Iran condemns arrest warrant against Sudanese president
Xinhua - World News
Mar 5, 2009

TEHRAN -- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi condemned on Thursday the arrest warrant issued against Sudanese president, the official IRNA news agency reported.

It was an "unjust and politically motivated" move orchestrated by the hegemonist powers, Qashqavi was quoted as saying.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday issued an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country's restive western region of Darfur.

"Issuance of such an arrest warrant is violation of international laws," Qashqavi said, adding that it "violates sovereignty and immunity of statesmen worldwide, runs counter to Vienna convention of 1961 and is an unacceptable practice for international community."

Calling the issue as the internal affairs of Sudan, he said, "We believe the issue should be resolved through wisdom of relevant officials as well as countries that can help find a peaceful solution to this dilemma."

The genocide accusation, filed by the court's prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, was not included in the final decision.

Earlier on Tuesday, al-Bashir vowed that any decision to be issued by the ICC will not affect his country.